Patterns of Participation in Secondary Vocational Education--1978-1982. National Center for Education Statistics Bulletin.

Sweet, David

Data from high school transcripts of about 12,000 students who graduated in 1982 were examined, relevant to a number of popular beliefs about vocational education. Compared to students in private high schools, students in public high schools were more likely to be enrolled in vocational courses. The average number of total credits earned in vocational education was greatest among graduates of schools that are located in the North Central region of the country; located in rural, as opposed to urban or suburban areas; and small (less than 600 students). The extent of student participation in vocational education was found to be related to race/ethnicity, cognitive test performance, socioeconomic status (SES), and high school program. Students who earned the most credits in vocational education were Hispanic, scored in the lowest quartile on the cognitive test battery, had a comparatively low SES, and were in a vocational program. Sex differences in overall vocational coursetaking were apparent. (Technical notes describe classification of courses, alternative classifications, course credits and coding, sample size, and standard errors. Five data tables are appended.) (YLB)